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Buying DVD drive for my B&W, which are compatible?

#1 User is offline   PCsmashr Icon

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Posted 26 January 2004 - 06:09 PM

I am going to buy a new Radeon card for my B&W + a DVD drive at my local computer store.
Question: Which types of drives are compatible and recognised by the B&W? I think it has to be 4X DVD right? But also, what brands are compatible with it. Are there any drives that can be just recognised immediately? Without software I mean. I know how to install it, because i've read a few articles, just need to know which drives. I was thinking of buying a PC drive for cheap. Would it work? Thanks. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
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#2 User is offline   lemac Icon

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Posted 26 January 2004 - 06:13 PM

By far, the most well supported DVD burner for the B&W has to be the Pioneer 106/A06/106D DVD-RW (they are all the same drive).
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#3 User is offline   PCsmashr Icon

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Posted 26 January 2004 - 06:50 PM

Are there any other well-supported drives?
Thanks, ill try to find the pioneer one though, but just in case it isn't stocked, which other will work?
Also, Does the pioneer drive have any other capibilities besides DVD RW? It reads CDs but does it burn CDs and just play DVDs? Because i wont be burning many DVD's probably just reading them. Thanks.
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#4 User is offline   my58vw Icon

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Posted 26 January 2004 - 09:26 PM

Just remember that most dvd authoring software is G4 requirement...
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#5 User is offline   PCsmashr Icon

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Posted 26 January 2004 - 09:42 PM

Yeah I got that covered, look at my signature. I have upgraded my processor. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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#6 User is offline   doggdamac Icon

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Posted 27 January 2004 - 04:43 AM

In reply to:

Just remember that most dvd authoring software is G4 requirement...

yea, authoring a dvd w/o a G4 would be like driving an 18-wheeler with a 4 cylinder engine....
putt putt vroom vroom putt putt.... hehehe /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
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#7 User is offline   tighelander Icon

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Posted 27 January 2004 - 08:59 PM

I just bought a Pioneer A06 today($109 at Fry's after a $30 mail-in rebate); I was looking to put it into a case, but they didn't have much of a choice, or a good price, so I think I'll put it in my B&W where a DVD player is now. Too bad I can't use it since my Powerlogix G3 900 only lasted two hours.
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#8 User is offline   PCsmashr Icon

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Posted 27 January 2004 - 09:06 PM

You pretty much need a G4 for DVD playback. My sympathies. Why did you pay 106 though! Thats outrageous! I can get that same drive for 30$ at my local store. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
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#9 User is offline   lemac Icon

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Posted 27 January 2004 - 10:53 PM

Are you sure you read that right? I doubt you can find the Pioneer DVD burners for 30 bucks (though I would like to know if there is).
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#10 User is offline   tighelander Icon

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Posted 28 January 2004 - 01:58 PM

/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifYour"local computer store" isn't the back of somebody's truck is it? /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now for a serious question. I noticed that Pioneer wants you to keep the front of the drive from being blocked. I guess that's for cooling. Blocking, however, is what happens in Apple's groovey cases, like the B&W that I have. Will blocking this thin cooling vent shorten the life of the drive? Does Pioneer have a slightly different model for the Macs like mine or the MDD G4's that have a door blocking the front of the drive?
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#11 User is offline   lemac Icon

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Posted 28 January 2004 - 02:58 PM

I didn't notice a vent in mine, but I doubt that you'll need cooling. Is this a 8x drive?
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#12 User is offline   tighelander Icon

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Posted 28 January 2004 - 03:10 PM

Not A vent really, but a thin slot. The manual says not to block it.
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#13 User is offline   lemac Icon

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Posted 28 January 2004 - 04:11 PM

I see them. I took a look in the manual and my B&W. I really think they meant "don't stuff this vent up". There is a little bit of space between the door and that vent..... it should be ok. The external bays for the B&W are too close quarters for a hard drive, but optical drives never spin 24/7 like a hard drive. If it really bothers you, you can always remove the front panel.
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#14 User is offline   PorthosthePirate Icon

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Posted 28 January 2004 - 04:55 PM

I' am waiting for my $30 mail-in rebate check to come in /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
About the vent in front question, try not to live the cd in the drive when they not in use. aslo theirs a fan on the back of the A06 drive.
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